Lockdown Day 31: WEAR THE CROWN
Video: Wear the crown by Bill Drake: Bill Drake was inspired to write “Wear the Crown” after hearing about the murder of modern-day martyr, Bonnie Witherall, who was killed in 2002 for her Christian work in Lebanon.
This is one of my all-time favourite songs. It reminds us that heaven rejoices in faithfulness, not necessary in release. We seek healing, a stop to the virus, and a safe return to normal. This is what spiritual leaders are prophesying and praying about. Not that this is wrong, but heaven rejoices in faithfulness, compassion, and sacrifice. God’s goodness is not only revealed by those who are healed but also by those who are willing to die for what they live for.
It also reminds us that we need to change our glasses when we observe the people around us. The celebrities and heroes in the eyes of God might not be the people we think deserve those titles. This has been gloriously revealed the past two months as new and formerly unsung heroes stepped into the spotlight, those who kept on serving at their own expense – the healthcare-workers, farmers, drivers, and so many many more. Thank you, COVID-19, for changing our perceptions and challenging our realities
But we should not only honour those who exemplify faithfulness, but we should also learn from them. The apostles never saw themselves as the Persecuted Church”. They saw themselves as “the Church”. Persecution was not something that elevated one disciple higher than the other or indicated a deeper level of followship. It was simply normal Christianity. As a matter of fact, when James is beheaded in Acts 12, only one verse is dedicated to his martyrdom. It was the theology of the first century and not something to elaborate on.
The most amazing experience from a personal point of view is that in the four decades of serving the “Church in restricted areas” I have experienced this principle over and over again. I cannot remember one incident where persecuted believers saw themselves as being victims of persecution. It was “normal Christianity” to those we met in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South East Asia, and an absolute joy to share the cross of Christ.
One specific incident involved Pastor Labib Madanat, the previous Executive Secretary of the Palestinian Bible Society. After an attack on the Bible Society in 2006 he said the following:
“Death – we have to face it, one day or another. It is inescapable. But the sting of death has been broken by the cross of Jesus, by the love of Jesus Christ. I know it is very difficult for the Church worldwide to see other Christian believers being harassed, threatened, and persecuted. And out of this concern they want to be involved. They want to come to the rescue of the family. And this is wonderful because this is the spirit of the fellowship. BUT, we need to be careful. Do not rob us of the courage which Christ gives us. Stand with us to grow even stronger and stronger in this courage. Refrain from any act which might look like strengthening any trace of self-pity. Do not highlight the Muslims as the enemies. Muslims are not our enemies, they are our beloved. Do not let Satan define your vision. Let the love in Christ define your vision. Again, we are not naïve, but this is what we are called for.”
Oh Lord have mercy on us in this time of isolation. Protect us from self-pity. Strengthen our courage. Let not Satan define our vision. Allow us to become vessels of hope and not messengers of suspicion. Shine through us Lord in this dawn of darkness.